Kia ora Kevin,

 

Thank you for your request for official information received on 13
September 2021 for:

 

"1. Who is responsible for carrying out the testing 2. Has the testing
been stopped as the most recent test information seems to be on the ESR
website and is for the week ended 30 August.

3. Why are the results not conveyed as part of the public briefings and
published on your website.”

 

The Ministry's reference number for your request is: H202112362.

 

As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 11 October 2021, being
20 working days after the day your request was received.

 

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.

 

If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.

 

Ngâ mihi

 

OIA Services

Government Services

Office of the Director-General

Ministry of Health

E: [1][email address]

 

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Tēnā koe Kevin 

  

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) on 13 September 2021 for information regarding wastewater testing for
COVID-19. I will respond to each part of your request in turn.  

  

1. Who is responsible for carrying out the testing 

  

The Institute of Environmental Science and research (ESR) is responsible
for carrying out COVID-19 wastewater testing. 

  

2. Has the testing been stopped as the most recent test information seems
to be on the ESR website and is for the week ended 30 August. 

  

No. Testing has not stopped. 

  

3. Why are the results not conveyed as part of the public briefings and
published on your website. 

  

The Ministry regularly provides updates on wastewater testing, in
particular where positive results have been received. These are included
where appropriate in the daily media update, which is published on the
Ministry website, and are often referenced in the 1pm stand ups. Here is a
recent media statement as an example: 

[1]www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/15-community-cases-covid-19-two-border-cases-managed-isolation 

  

There is general information on the Ministry website: 

[2]www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-wastewater-testing 

  

Wastewater testing forms a key part of the Covid Surveillance Strategy.
Here’s some information from the strategy: 

[3]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/aotearoa_new_zealands_covid-19_surveillance_strategy_11-08-2021.docx.
The strategy states: 

 

Wastewater testing is carried out by ESR as an adjunct surveillance tool
to detect SARS-CoV-2 in sewage, and to therefore potentially identify any
unrecognised COVID-19 infections in New Zealand. Analysis of wastewater
allows screening and repeat testing of hundreds of thousands of people
simultaneously.  

 

Wastewater test results are reported by ESR to the Ministry of Health,
which includes them in surveillance reports. 

SARS-CoV-2 detections in an area could indicate: 

•           a case currently in a managed isolation facility, 

•           a non-infectious historical case or a non-infectious recently
recovered case who is still shedding low levels of SARS-CoV-2, or 

•           an active COVID-19 infection in the community. 

  

As ESR carries out the testing, there is more detailed information on the
ESR website here: 

[4]www.esr.cri.nz/search/SearchForm?Search=wastewater+testing 

  

Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [5][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602. 

  

 

Ngā mihi

 

OIA Services Team

 

[6]Ministry of Health information releases

[7]Unite against COVID-19

 

 

****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
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References

Visible links
1. http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/med...
2. http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disea...
3. http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/d...
4. http://www.esr.cri.nz/search/SearchForm?...
5. mailto:[email address]
6. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
7. https://covid19.govt.nz/

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